Time to Re-Visit Gerushia ~

Hello There: 

Way back in September of 2009 I originally blogged about my great aunt Gerushia.  I talked a bit about who she was to me and about her life in the Ozarks of Northwest Arkansas.  That was just over 4 years ago and I think it's time to revisit her story.  

Many folks ask me why my art shop is called "Gerushia's New World".  People are often curious about the pronunciation of the name as well.

Gerushia sounds like this ~ ja ROO sha.  The usual way to spell this name is Jerusha.  I have no idea why this particular spelling was used, but I adore it!

Okay, so here's the story of my great aunt Gerushia ~

Gerushia was my mom's aunt.  She was born in 1909 ~

My mom often spoke about her to me when I was a little girl.  My mom had a southern accent, and she referred to her as "Ain't Jarooshy."  (I love that)!!

Gerushia married a kind gentleman named Loyd in 1926 at the young age of 17.

It wasn't long before Loyd and Gerushia had a baby girl...and then a baby boy.  Together, they worked on their little farm in Pettigrew, Arkansas and raised their children.  It was a hard life....working a farm in the Ozarks during the Great Depression.  I've heard tell that Loyd used to say "The Depression passed right on by without us knowing it because we were poor already".

Soon after Gerushia's 24th birthday, she passed away.  Diptheria found it's way to the tiny town of Pettigrew, Arkansas, taking Gerushia's life and leaving Loyd behind with two small children.  Their baby boy was only 7 months old at the time of Gerushia's death.

Throughout Gerushia's illness, the local "church ladies" took turns looking after her.  They brought food for Loyd and his children and helped in any way they could.

It was tough...being a single dad to two small children and running a farm all at once.  So, Loyd arranged for the children to stay with family while he grieved and worked and worked and grieved.

One of the "church ladies" that so kindly helped Gerushia during her sickness was a gal named Marvie ~ my aunt and my dad's oldest sister.  Marvie was getting close to 25 years old.  She had a big handful of nieces and nephews, but had no children of her own and had never been married.  Then.....Loyd entered her life....

Marvie had always liked Gerushia.  They sang in the church choir together and she surely felt bad for Loyd, and for those children being left behind without a mother.  

Well, Loyd wasn't a very romantic guy but he wooed Marvie as best as he could, eventually asking Marvie to marry him.  He said "I can't offer you much and I have these two children to look after, but if you're willing, I'd make you a good husband".  Marvie said "yes".

They married and Marvie took those two children to her heart just like they were her own.  Soon after, Loyd and Marvie had a baby girl.  

Loyd, Marvie and their children moved away from Pettigrew, Arkansas....settling in Southwest Missouri.  

Every year, Loyd and Marvie made the drive from Missouri to Pettigrew to clean Gerushia's grave and leave flowers.  They made this trip every year until they were both too old to travel.

My mom told me the "Story of Ain't Jarooshy" many, many times.  Of course, I never knew Gerushia and my mom was only 6 years old when Gerushia passed away.  However, I did know Marvie and Loyd...two of the kindest people ever.  Now, both Marvie and Loyd are gone as well.

So....you see, Gerushia was my mom's aunt.  But, in a round about way, she was connected to my dad's side of the family as well....through my dad's sister, Marvie.

When I decided to rename my art busines, something called me to Gerushia.  She was connected to me on both sides of my family.  She was a strong southern girl and she was in my heart and my bones through my mom's stories.  

Her name is with me every day,  through the memories my mom gave me and through "Gerushia's New World".

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

Clara and Lucy's Curious Visitors ~

It was a  warm summer morning...heading into the kind of day that blankets you in furnace heat and dampness. Clara and Lucy were off for a walk. 

Oh they had a lovely time, each wearing their sun hats and pretty lace up boots. They strolled by the creek, picked bouquets of wild flowers and had a taste of Mr. Stepp's plump and purple Huckleberries. 

Clara and Lucy were the best of friends, they were sisters. They both had dreams of great adventures and spent hours telling each other stories. 

As Clara and Lucy made their way back up the dirt road that led to their little wooden house, they skipped and held hands...they were so happy to be together. But, as they arrived back home, something felt askew ~ static air and a yellowing sky...they each broke out in goosebumps and were so very curious. "We have visitors" said Clara. "Yes, but who are they?" asked Lucy.................................     



Now   ~   the end of the story belongs to you ~



You can find this brand new print in my shop by clicking right HERE.

"Clara and Lucy's Curious Visitors" is an older piece, but it has never been offered in my current shop. So....I figured today was a good day to do so.  It is a simple piece but has great sentimental value to me.  And....it prints up super nice!

Until Next Time:
Kim
Gerushia's New World

P.S.  It's hot outside!!!

Gerushia Revisited ~

Well....Hello There,


It is 12:15 p.m. and the backyard thermometer is well past the 90 degree mark.  I do believe my day will be spent inside.  Is it hot in your neck of the woods?


I figure, as long as I'm spending the day at home and out of the heat, I may as well tell you a story.  


Way back in September of 2009 I blogged about my great aunt Gerushia.  I talked a bit about who she was to me and about her life in the Ozarks of Northwest Arkansas.  That was almost 3 years ago and I think it's time to revisit her story.  


Many folks ask me why my art business is called "Gerushia's New World".  People are often curious about the pronunciation of the name as well.


Gerushia sounds like this ~ ja ROO sha.  The usual way to spell this name is Jerusha.  I have no idea why this particular spelling was used, but I adore it!


Okay, so here's the story of my great aunt Gerushia ~


Gerushia was my mom's aunt.  She was born in 1909 ~

My mom often spoke about her to me when I was a little girl.  My mom had a southern accent, and she referred to her as "Ain't Jarooshy".  (I love that)!!

Gerushia married a kind gentleman named Loyd in 1926 at the young age of 17 ~

  

It wasn't long before Loyd and Gerushia had a baby girl...and then a baby boy.  Together, they worked on their little farm in Pettigrew, Arkansas and raised their children.  It was a hard life....working a farm in the Ozarks during the Great Depression.  I've heard tell that Loyd used to say "The Depression passed right on by without us knowing it because we were poor already".


Soon after Gerushia's 24th birthday, she passed away.  Diphtheria found it's way to the tiny town of Pettigrew, Arkansas, taking Gerushia's life and leaving Loyd behind with two small children.  Their baby boy was only 7 months old at the time of Gerushia's death.


Throughout Gerushia's illness, the local "church ladies" took turns looking after her.  They brought food for Loyd and his children and helped in any way they could.


It was tough...being a single dad to two small children and running a farm all at once.  So, Loyd arranged for the children to stay with family while he grieved and worked and worked and grieved.


One of the "church ladies" that so kindly helped Gerushia during her sickness was a gal named Marvie ~ my aunt and my dad's oldest sister.  Marvie was getting close to 25 years old.  She had a big handful of nieces and nephews, but had no children of her own and had never been married.  Then.....Loyd entered her life....


Marvie had always liked Gerushia.  They sang in the church choir together and she surely felt bad for Loyd, and for those children being left behind without a mother.  


Well, Loyd wasn't a very romantic guy but he wooed Marvie as best as he could, eventually asking Marvie to marry him.  He said "I can't offer you much and I have these two children to look after, but if you're willing, I'd make you a good husband".  Marvie said "yes".


They married and Marvie took those two children to her heart just like they were her own.  Soon after, Loyd and Marvie had a baby girl.  


Loyd, Marvie and their children moved away from Pettigrew, Arkansas....settling in Southwest Missouri.  


Every year, Loyd and Marvie made the drive from Missouri to Pettigrew to clean Gerushia's grave and leave flowers.  They made this trip every year until they were both too old to travel.


My mom told me the the "Story of Ain't Jarooshy" many, many times.  Of course, I never knew Gerushia and my mom was only 6 years old when Gerushia passed away.  However, I did know Marvie and Loyd...two of the kindest people ever.  Now, both Marvie and Loyd are gone as well.


So....you see, Gerushia was my mom's aunt.  But, in a round about way, she was connected to my dad's side of the family as well....through my dad's sister, Marvie.


When I decided to rename my art busines, something called me to Gerushia.  She was connected to me on both sides of my family.  She was a strong southern girl and she was in my heart and my bones through my mom's stories.  


Her name is with me every day,  through the memories my mom gave me and through "Gerushia's New World".


Until Next Time:
Kim
Gerushia's New World

Sarah's Hands....Photo A Day Challenge Day 3 ~ Hands.

Hands.  They tell secrets.  They can expose our habits and give away our age.  They hold, they gesture and they speak.  Some are soft and have proof of very little work.  Some are rough and strong and hard-working...just like this pair of hands in the photo.  

These hands belonged to my great grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth.  Of course, I never met her, but I have a feeling that Sarah Elizabeth was a hard worker.  Her hands tell on her.  Was she a gardener?  Did she work in the fields?  I'm sure she cooked, chopped wood and cared for little ones.  A strong, busy, hard-working woman.  

Hands.  They tell history.  They can open doors and connect us to our past.  Hands that were once tiny and newborn, soft and fresh, become a map ~ telling our journeys and travels and hard times.  If we're lucky, we will live long enough to carry our journeys in our hands.  To show the world that we gardened or painted or stitched.

Will my hands resemble Sarah's?  If I'm blessed with a long life, I would be proud to have hands like Sarah Elizabeth's hands.

Until tomorrow:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

P.S.  Obviously, I didn't take this photo myself, but I did take a photo of a photo for today's challenge.  :)

P.P.S.  On a whim, I decided to have a SUPERBOWL SALE in my Online Shop.   Included in the sale are the last 8 originals I have from my "Connecting Spaces" show.  They are straight up $50.00 each with free shipping worldwide!!  They are unframed and each piece measures 4" x 6".  Sale ends Sunday at midnight.  Have a look if you like!

Here are the 8 pieces being offered...

"Country Adventures Of a Fashionista"

"Guardians of the Questionable Motive"

 "A Simple Game"

"The Changeling Moon"

"The Uninvited"

"Sister Ophelia's Unfortunate Picnic"

"She Wore Her Heart on Her Cape"

"Lulu's Bigtop Playtime"

Thank you so much for having a look!  ♥♥

Delilah's New Day.

What fun I had yesterday, playing in my studio with Delilah. She's so sweet and spotted and extra, extra large. Delilah is a Great Dane...



She belongs to my very dear and very old friend (pre-kindergarten friend) Debbie. Oh, Delilah wasn't REALLY in my studio, but I played with her photo all day long. I introduced her to a curious Rabbit, dressed her in a new orange hat and created an all around new day for her..."Delilah's New Day" ~



I just adore playing with bits and pieces of paper body parts....creating new worlds, new friends, new days. Oh, wouldn't it be lovely to walk right into a new world and make friends with the likes of Delilah in her new orange hat...to have tea with a curious Rabbit? In my dreams...I have met them all~

"Delilah's New Day" has just been listed in Gerushia's Etsy Shop. AND...for the rest of the week, this new piece will be included in the BOGO sale. Buy any print 4" x 6" or larger and get another print (your choice) for free.

Delilah and her Rabbit pal are ever so excited for you to spend the day with them...to spend a NEW day together.

Until Next Time:
Kim
(And Delilah, too)
Gerushia's New World

Clara and Lucy's Curious Visitors (Story Art).

"It was a very warm summer morning...heading into the kind of day that blankets you in furnace heat and dampness. Clara and Lucy were off for a walk. Oh they had a lovely time, each wearing their sun hats and pretty lace up boots. They strolled by the creek, picked bouquets of wild flowers and even had a taste of Mr. Stepps plump and purple Huckleberries. Clara and Lucy were the best of friends, they were sisters. They both had dreams of great adventures and spent hours telling each other stories. As Clara and Lucy made their way back home, they skipped and held hands...they were so happy to be together. But, just as they arrived back home, something felt askew...they each broke out in goosebumps and were so very curious. "We have visitors" said Clara. "Yes, but who are they?" said Lucy".

Now, you get to fill in the blank. The end of the story belongs to you!!

This is my newest print freshly listed in My Shop.

Clara was my maternal grandmother. She's the cute and rounder of the two young women. Lucy, with the long ringlets, was her sister...



I never met either of them. My Grandma Watson passed away long before I was born, but I have heard stories. My mom said she could "dance a jig", because she was Irish, you know. I think I've heard tell that she was fiery and spirited and fun as well....

~Grandma at Knott's Berry Farm~


So, there you go, in a nutshell, that's just about all I know of her. My parents were a bit older when they had me, so even though I'm only in my 40s, both of my parents are gone and I actually never knew any of my grandparents. But I do know them in spirit and heart and through stories.

These photos of my Grandma Watson are priceless to me. I have them as scans, as they were sent to me electronically by my dearest cousin, Danny (who is also a young one in my family and never knew our grandma in person). Between the two of us, we've managed to keep our heritage alive for each other. Through our stories and art and communication, we've created a connection that won't be broken. Danny lives way out yonder over the hills and dales. I'm here in the dusty desert of Southern California and Danny is in the lush and green rolling hills of Northwest Arkansas, but through these electronic boxes that I often swear I hate, we have become the best of friends.

Thank you so much for reading my stories and looking at my art.

Kim
Gerushia's New World

Eula's Party

I adore parties. Eula is having a very special party and she's invited me to join her. Would you like to come along?



Eula is the little girl on the left with the short blonde hair. The pretty dark haired girl on the right is Marvie (who later married Loyd, who was married to Gerushia before she passed away). They were sisters and they were my aunts. This photo was taken in the Fall of 1919. Aren't they the cutest little country girls?



You can find this newly listed original in Gerushia's New World on Etsy.

Thanks for having a look.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Gerushia's New World